Being a celebrity means always looking your best, which takes a lot of effort. Some movie roles also require actors to change their appearance and undergo transformations. While changing the looks of a film isn’t new, the interesting part is how some celebrities did it healthily. Whether it’s weight loss or weight gain, we can learn lessons from them. Here are some of the best transformations we’ve seen in Bollywood.
1. Bhumi Pednekar in Dum Laga Ke Haisha
We can’t talk about dramatic transformations without mentioning Bhumi Pednekar. For her debut role, Bhumi played an overweight girl and had to gain over 20 kilograms in six months. She indulged in foods like butter chicken and dal makhani to fully embody her character, earning much praise for her dedication. Even more impressive is that after the film, she lost 33 kilos in under four months by exercising regularly and eating homemade food.
2. Rajkummar Rao in Trapped and Bose
Rajkummar Rao went to great lengths to fit his characters in two different movies: one as a ‘trapped’ resident and the other as ‘Bose.’ For the first role, he needed to look frail and hungry, so he followed a strict diet of just a cup of black coffee and two mashed carrots for a month. Can you imagine eating that little? For the second role, he had to look plump and healthy, so he gained 11 kilos by eating a diet rich in fats and carbs, with sweets and oily foods becoming his main companions.
3. Aamir Khan in Dangal
Imagine gaining weight and then losing it all within a few months. Aamir Khan, known for his perfectionism, did exactly that. For his role in the movie Dangal, where he plays a wrestler of different ages, Aamir was offered the option of wearing a bodysuit. However, he wanted the transformation to be completely natural. He gained 25 kilos, developed a gut, and then lost it all in five months. In a behind-the-scenes video from the film, Aamir discussed the challenges he faced:
“Putting on the weight was fun because I could eat and drink whatever I wanted. I enjoyed it, but it was uncomfortable. My wrestling training was affected because I carried so much weight and couldn’t move quickly. Your breathing changes when you gain weight. Your body language changes—how you walk, sit, and stand up.”
While Aamir’s transformation is impressive, he warned fans not to attempt such a risky change. A strong advocate of dietary adjustments, Aamir also mentioned that he wouldn’t have achieved this physical transformation without changing his diet.
4. Kriti Sanon for Mimi
Actress Kriti Sanon, naturally lean and slim, had to gain 15 kilograms for her latest role as a surrogate mother. Kriti decided to do this independently, even though it challenged her metabolism and endurance. The physical and mental preparation for the role was exhausting, but she achieved it quickly. In an interview, Kriti talked about the difficulties she faced:
“Putting on so many kilos was a real challenge since it’s new for my body. I had to fight my metabolism and increase my calorie intake to gain that much weight quickly.”
5. Farhan Akhtar for Bhag Milkha Bhag
Farhan Akhtar’s portrayal of athlete Milkha Singh is considered his best performance. Farhan, already fit in real life, underwent intense training with top coaches for 13 months to excel in the role. Renowned trainer Samir Jaura helped him transform. As part of his routine, Farhan did 2,500-3,000 crunches, leg raises, side bends, and push-ups daily to achieve his eight-pack abs. Exercises like squats, lunges, jump squats, and calf raises helped him build his legs like a true runner. He was even on a liquid diet for a while. Isn’t this incredibly inspiring?
6. Prabhas for Bahubali
The film Baahubali transformed Telugu actor Prabhas into a nationwide hero. Prabhas had to put in a lot of hard work to look like the perfect warrior. He spent extensive hours working on his physique, including eating up to 40 egg whites with protein powder daily! Yes, you read that right. The actor went from 82 to 102 kilos for the film and trained for nearly six months under world-renowned wrestlers. He even invested around 1.5 crores in gym equipment to build his gym!
Conclusion
Bollywood celebrities often go to great lengths to perfect their roles, demonstrating incredible dedication and resilience. These transformations showcase their commitment to their craft, from gaining and losing weight to undergoing rigorous training. Bhumi Pednekar, Rajkummar Rao, Aamir Khan, Kriti Sanon, Farhan Akhtar, and Prabhas have all pushed their limits to deliver outstanding performances. Their journeys inspire us to appreciate the hard work behind the glamour and remind us that achieving greatness often requires extraordinary effort.
FAQs
Q1: Why did Bhumi Pednekar gain weight for her debut role?
Ans: Bhumi Pednekar gained over 20 kilograms to portray an overweight character accurately in her debut film. She lost 33 kilograms in just under four months through diet and exercise.
Q2: What was Rajkummar Rao’s transformation process for his movies?
Ans: Rajkummar Rao transformed his body for two roles: losing weight to look frail in one film and gaining 11 kilos to appear plump in another. He followed very different diets for each role, including extreme measures like eating just a cup of black coffee and two carrots daily.
Q3: How did Aamir Khan achieve his transformation for Dangal?
Ans: In Dangal, Aamir Khan gained 25 kilos and then lost it in five months to portray wrestlers at different ages. He followed a strict diet and intense workout routine to achieve this dramatic change.
Q4: What challenges did Kriti Sanon face while gaining weight for her role?
Ans: Kriti Sanon had to gain 15 kilograms for her role as a surrogate mother. This was a significant challenge for her body, requiring her to fight her metabolism and increase her calorie intake.
Q5: How did Farhan Akhtar prepare for his role as Milkha Singh in Bhaag Milkha Bhaag?
Ans: Farhan Akhtar underwent rigorous training with top coaches for 13 months. He did 2,500-3,000 crunches, leg raises, push-ups daily, and other exercises to build his physique and legs for the role. He also set up a personal gym with equipment costing around 1.5 crores.
Q6: What was Prabhas’s preparation for his role in Baahubali?
Ans: Prabhas bulked up significantly for Baahubali, going from 82 to 102 kilos. He ate up to 40 egg whites with protein powder daily and trained with world-renowned wrestlers. He also invested heavily in creating a personal gym.
Q7: Did Bhumi Pednekar face any challenges while losing weight?
Ans: Yes, Bhumi Pednekar faced significant challenges while losing weight. She had to balance a strict workout regimen with a controlled diet, which was physically demanding and required a lot of discipline.
Q8: How did Rajkummar Rao manage his drastic weight changes?
Ans: Rajkummar Rao managed his drastic weight changes through carefully planned diets and intense workouts. For his role, where he needed to look frail, he followed a very restricted diet, while for the role requiring a bulkier appearance, he consumed high-calorie, fatty foods.
Q9: What was Aamir Khan’s approach to the physical transformation of Dangal?
Ans: Aamir Khan’s approach involved a disciplined diet and intense physical training. He transformed his body to show different stages of the wrestler’s life, demonstrating his commitment to achieving authenticity in his performance.
Q10: How did Kriti Sanon’s weight gain impact her role preparation?
Ans: Kriti Sanon’s weight gain was a critical part of her role preparation, as it helped her convincingly portray a surrogate mother. The process was physically demanding and required her to manage her metabolism and calorie intake carefully.
